DECEMBER 2012: The start of crawling and the end of maternity leave

[halestone]

New thread

Spotty cross the childcare bridge when you reach it.If nothing else it's practice, a confidence boost and you'll know exactly what childcare you can get for the next job opportunity.

We had another slightly better night. And had the first 3 hours in the cot, which is a first.

But A woke at about 4.55 and started crying straight away. In my befuddled state I reached for my phone to turn the alarm of, and was very confused to see a blank screen. Of course, you can't swipe the screen of a baby and stop the noise!

I'm actually starting a handover for my job today. Yay.

Enjoy the sun!

Hales, I'm looking forward to going back to work too.

Spotty, good luck with interview. They're always good practice, regardless of outcome. I hope you're feeling better, I can't believe how much weight you've lost. I hope the GP is keeping a close eye on you.

Yay for better nights. C wasn't too bad - woke at 12 and 4.30 for feeds, which is a significant improvement on the rest of the week. No midnight party time! But she was quite unsettled, crying out a lot in her sleep. She has started being very active in the cot, and by this morning she had done a 180 and was upside down. She often gets herself 'wedged' crossways, so when she kicks her feet she smacks her head into the bars of the cot. Silly munchkin. She was also rolling onto her side a lot last night - I wonder if she was unsettled because she's about to make some changes in physical ability? No evidence for that, just a gut feeling.

A beautiful day here but no idea what I'm doing. Might take C for a weigh-in - she's 7 months old today.

Morning all. J woke for a bottle at 11:00 last night and then again at 2:00. I thought I can't do this every 3 hours so let him have a whinge/kick for 10 mins and he went back off. DP's off so we all woke up at 8:20! I cannot remember the lady time I had this good a night Off to the zoo, eek.

Morning all, H is six months today yay! (Or sob). First night in cloth was a success

Staks, sorry to hear about the leak I sometime feel when I look around all I can see is new mess! I spend my days picking stuff up and as soon as I've tidied there is another little pile of mess .
WillYou I'm jealous of your holiday, we had to cancel ours as we are trying to buy a house.

Just looked in my bank acc and I'm £16 overdrawn I never go overdrawn and hate being skint. Going back to work is just not worth it with the cost of child care but I've always made my own money and hate having to ask

WL if it makes you feel any better I've just found a fermented banana on my table complete with mould and juice

Oh dear eggs. Could you set a small standing order to your own personal account so there's a little there for you. The finance part is so hard, I used to be the higher earner but now it's another story.

Thanks spotty that does indeed make me feel better!

I think if you're a stay at home mum it's nice to have a set amount each month into your account, especially if you're trying to save, then you know you have that for outings and bits and bobs you might need to buy

I already have a set amount each week, going to have to review it as its enough for food shopping, a few of my own bills but nothing left for me really. DH already gave me an extra £100 cash this week just to have in my purse but some how I only have £20 left! I haven't even bought anything (except wine at my sisters lol).

Happy 6 month birthday H.

Emily and Spotty i'm worried about going back to work as we can't get childcare for my shift, but if i swopped to the day shift, it wouldn't be worth it due to childcare costs. But i also have this really weird thing were i don't mix my money with DP's as i'm scared that if we ever split up i would be fucked financially. (I had that happen after my last relationship). Its really been worrying me alot.

Mama it was really good to be out for once doing something on my own. If a position came up there permanently it would solve alot of my problems job wise. I'm glad C had a better night. I think mums instincts count for alot so i've got my FX that C crawls for you.

Willyou i hope you DP and J have a lovely day at the zoo today.

Hales are you entitled to tax credits or anything? They can help with childcare costs.

Emily it's hard to adjust but you'll soon be amazed how far you can make money go.

I have milk! and another blocked duct on the good side but we won't worry about that I'm feeling much better too

I am but i didn't know i could get childcare help. Thanks Spotty i'll look into it. And yay to having milk but having a blocked duct is crap, i hope it unblocks soon.

Yep we get them based on last years wages now we have two children and when dd's childcare went up our tax credits did too so you might be able to sort something, as long as they're ofsted registered, so it can be a childminder or a nursery

Yay for milk!
hales DH and I both have our own accounts that our wages go into and then we both pay set amounts into a joint current and joint savings accounts. We need joint stuff but both like to have control over the rest (haha) of our monies.

That's what we do. The percentage we both pay in is similar so dp pays in a lot more than me

God I hate car insurance! They still haven' sorted out our claim so have us as 'at fault' on the renewal which means, even though we have our no claims protected, they up our premium

I hate insurance full stop spotty! It's all a big fat swizz.

Right, I'm off to go and sort a Stair gate out. We live in a Maisonettes so its stairs down to the front door.

Crap to hear that about insurance Spotty

Afternoon all. Well, last night was the straw that broke the camels back. I went to bed just after DS at 8:15, just got to sleep when he woke me at 9, back down quickly, but then just as I was falling asleep again he woke at 9:30. This time he wouldn't settle back down, I jiggled till he dropped off, put him down then 3 minutes later he was awake. I put up with it till 10 then picked him up, went downstairs and dumped him on DP with a "here, he's your problem now" then stormed off upstairs and cried under the duvet. :(
I didn't get any extra sleep, as I was listening to DH with him. We learnt that DH can get him to sleep and knock his head on the bannister on the way upstairs, then trip over the door but he still wouldn't go in his cot. He came to bed with DH at 11 and fed to sleep, then woke at 1 and 6 (!!!!) for feeds. I woke up much more often with him thrashing around, but he slept.
I'm tired and have a headache, but also a plan. Tonight DH will have him and I'll sleep in the spare room till 12. Hopefully 4 hours of sleep!

Thanks for kind words yesterday. I just reached the end of my tether I think. Luckily today is swimming so we're out of the house and DS sleeps on the bus well after. I'm currently in subway with a sleeping baby :)

Will catch up more later. Going to eat while I can.

Goodness me stacks. Poor you. I do hope you manage to get some sleep - I tend to be the same as you though and listen so find it hard to switch off. A glass of wine might help you on your way!

Tabs cried today when I wouldn't share my biscuit with her!

Oh you big meany WL!

Stacks poor you I hope you manage to get a nice chunk of sleep tonight

Stacks i also hope you get a good sleep in that time.

Haha WL i hope you said in a Joey off Friends voice 'Mummy doesn't share food' especially if its chocolate, biscuits or cake

Oh I've got a breastfeeding necklace now and it seems to be doing its job ds loves it although once he's finished his feed he tries to eat it!

hales I didn't but I will from now on!